Pertussis vaccination clinic set for Wednesday
WOODSTOCK – McHenry County Department of Health again will partner with Dominick’s Pharmacy to offer a walk-in vaccination clinic for the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine to curb the spread of whooping cough.
The clinic will take place from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the cafeteria of Chauncey H. Duker Elementary School, 3711 W. Kane Ave., McHenry.
The cost is $50. Medicaid is accepted. The vaccine is $15 for those age 11 to 18 who are uninsured or underinsured, and uninsured adults aged 19 and older who meet income requirements.
In addition, 11- to 18-year-olds must be accompanied by a parent and bring a current vaccination record. Primary care physicians also are offering the vaccine.
The whooping cough outbreak now totals 172 cases as of Dec. 5, just short of the record 191 cases reported in McHenry County in 2004.
The illness has been reported in 29 area schools and in 13 communities. Those affected range in age from 3 months to 59 years old.
The health department stresses the importance of remaining home from school and work to complete the five-day antibiotic treatment regime to reduce spreading the illness.
Pertussis is highly contagious and easily spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sneezing and low-grade fever can last several weeks and lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis or pulmonary hypertension.
Frequent hand washing, covering the mouth, coughing into tissues and staying home when ill are important practices to limit the spread of infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses the importance of a pertussis booster for those aged 11 to 64 and those older than 65 who are caregivers for young children.
High-risk populations include infants and children up to age 5 who may not be fully vaccinated, children who didn’t receive a booster shot, those who are immune compromised, and older adults.
For information on pertussis, visit www.mcdh.info or call 815-334-4510.
